SynPhNe

The SynPhNe system consists of a specially designed headset with neural sensors and an arm glove with muscle activity sensors

Synergistic Physio-Neuro Platform (SynPhNe) is an automated physio-neuro rehabilitation platform for enhancing brain and muscle function after a stroke or injury.It consists of a software based on human learning processes, a headset with neural sensors and an arm glove with muscle activity sensors.

The software contains instructional videos for limb movements which the patient can mimic to improve performance of various tasks. The sensors use the brain and muscle signals to provide feedback on the stress, attention, and relaxation levels of the patient as well as the muscles which are being activated or inhibited. The person using the device becomes aware of maladaptive, habitual brain-muscle responses in real-time while performing various tasks. These responses are then self-corrected using the SynPhNe protocol.

A demonstration of how the SynPhNe system is used for rehabilitation

This system saves therapist and doctor time by up to 50 per cent, as patients can undergo guided home therapy over cloud infrastructure. This also helps patients to be discharged from the hospital earlier. The research prototype is currently undergoing clinical trials in Singapore and India.

The SynPhNe system was developed by Dr John Heng and Dr Banerji Subhasis from Nanyang Technological University. A start-up, Synphne Pte Ltd, was established to turn the system into a portable and connected stroke therapy kit for home use. This research has received funding from the NRF’s Proof-of-Concept grant scheme, SMART Innovation Grant, and the SPRING Technology Enterprise Commercialisation Scheme.